Traditional Eri Fishing Lives On in Lake Biwa

Eri fishing, a traditional method practiced in Lake Biwa, uses strategically placed bamboo stakes and nets along the lakeshore to guide and catch fish. This technique is particularly renowned for catching koayu (young sweetfish up to one year old that remain and grow in Lake Biwa after spring), hiuo (transparent juvenile sweetfish caught from December to March, known as ‘Lake Biwa’s diamonds’) and crucian carp.

With over a thousand years of history, Eri fishing earns praise as a sustainable practice that respects the environment. The harvested hiuo are distributed nationwide for release into various rivers.

As a traditional fishing method that supports Lake Biwa’s ecosystem while demonstrating harmony between nature and community, Eri fishing has become a beloved part of Lake Biwa’s scenic heritage.